CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
Memo Date: February 7, 2020
Agenda Date: February 26, 2020
Prepared By: Nancy A. Bunt, Community Services Director
Through: John A. Titkanich, Jr., AICP, ICMA-CM
Requested Action:
title
Approve a Task Order by S&ME to develop a Parks & Open Space Master Plan in the amount of $59,800 based upon a multi-year Professional Services Agreement between the City of Cocoa and S&ME, Inc. executed on March 13, 2019.
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BACKGROUND:
On March 13, 2019, City Council approved a multi-year professional services agreement between the City and S&ME, Inc. for professional planning services. At that time, the Community Services Department was operating with staffing shortages in both the Planning & Zoning and Building & Permitting Divisions and these staffing issues were creating customer services concerns. Also, their services were needed to complete the analysis and evaluation required to bring the City’s Comprehensive Plan Amendments into statutory compliance based on statutory changes since the City adopted its current Comprehensive Plan. Land Design Innovations, Inc. (LDI) was acquired by S&ME, Inc. and LDI previously prepared the City’s 2008 Evaluation and Appraisal Report and assisted the City in a substantial re-write of the City’s adopted 2010-2020 Comprehensive Plan.
As a Council priority, staff is seeking to enter into a Task Order with S&ME to undertake a Parks/Open-Space Master Plan that evaluates level of service, existing facilities and identifies gaps and opportunities for future park/open space development. S&ME would develop a plan that evaluates what areas/neighborhoods present opportunities for future park/open-space projects as well as generally looking at opportunities for trails and connecting to or expanding what the Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization (SCTPO) has planned along with private projects the City negotiated an easement over land for trail development. Additionally, the City this past fiscal year adopted a Stormwater Master Plan and the City would like to see if there are possibilities of integrating future improvements whether they be stormwater or additional park development to maximize opportunities. Although, not identified in the proposal, S&ME anticipates this process will take approximately 9 months to complete.
The attached proposal outlines the deliverables of the Parks &Open Space Master Plan (Plan). Specifically, the Plan deliverables will include:
• Existing Conditions and Needs Assessment:
o Existing Plan and Context Review;
o Inventory of Existing Parks and Recreation Facilities;
o Inventory of spaces jointly used for recreation and utilities;
o Open Space Analysis;
o Level of Service Analysis;
o Summary of Park Site Visits Findings and Trail connection opportunities;
o Summary of Stakeholder Interview/Focus Group Results; and
o Summary of Public Outreach Meeting Results.
• Parks and Recreation System Vision and Recommendations:
o Summary of Public Workshop;
o Recommendations for additional facilities and amenities at existing parks;
o Recommendations for joint use of spaces (e.g. recreation and utilities);
o Recommendations for new park locations and park types based on level of service distribution needs and build-out population;
o Recommendations for conceptual trail connection opportunities (e.g. through future stormwater facilities, easements, or utility facilities);
o Effectiveness of the City’s existing level of service standards for existing park infrastructure, recommendations for modification to create an effective park system; and
o Recommended changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan Recreation/Open Space element.
• Implementation Strategy and Outcomes:
o Estimate of Probable Park Component Costs;
o Financial strategies to obtain additional park property and long-term management of park facilities;
o Recommended changes to the City’s Comprehensive Plan to allow new parks and open space opportunities, if necessary; and
o Community impact summary, including high-level summary of the anticipated impact of the park recommendations on the community, environment, educational opportunities and public health.
STRATEGIC PLAN CONNECTION:
Image- the Plan will evaluate level of service, existing facilities and identifies gaps and opportunities for future park/open space development.
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Budgeted Yes
Amount Requested $59,800
Account Number 001-3200-515.31-00
Account Name Professional Services
PREVIOUS ACTION:
N/A
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Recommendation
Approve a Task Order by S&ME to develop a Parks & Open Space Master Plan in the amount of $59,800 based upon a multi-year Professional Services Agreement between the City of Cocoa and S&ME, Inc. executed on March 13, 2019